Metal working machine



Sept. H, 1934. R. 5. BROWN 1,973,368

METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1928 1'7 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

W 5.55am

A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 11, 1934. R. s. BRcSwN METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19,, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Sept. 11, 1934. R, 5. BROWN METAL WORKING MACHINE 1'7 "Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 19, 1928 l v INVENTOR. wab/www mw mm. .ww ww Qm wk a A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 11; 1934. R. 5. BROWN 1,973,368

METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 36- IN V EN TOR.

TORNEYS.

Sept. 11, 1934. R. 5. BROWN METAL WORKING MACHINE Fjiled Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm vb INVENZTOR Mp, 59W

ATTORNEY Sept. 11 1934. R. s, BROWN METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 6 a Q. Nb

Sept. 11, 1934. R. s. BROWN I METAL WORKING MACHINE:

Filed Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 7 A TTORNEYS.

, INVENTOR.

Q SN

QNN NNN NNN p 1934- R. s. BRO WN v Q I 1,973,368

METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19. 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet a 7 if Q 130 114 INVENTOR. 137 321 15;: 129 125 136 144 W 5.55

A TORNEYS.

Sept. 11, 1934.

R. S. BROWN METAL WORKING MACHINE A Filed Sept. 19. 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet} Sept. 11, 1934. R. s. BR6WN METAL WORKING MACHINE l7 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Sept. 19, 1928 12V V EN TOR. 5. 55m

ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 11, 1934.

R. s. BROWN I METAL WORKING MACHINE l7 Sheets-Sheet 11' Filed Sept; 19. 192 8 ATTORNEYS.

P 1934- I R. s. BROWN 1,973,368

METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet l2 IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Sept- 1934- R. 5. BROWN 1,973,368

METAL WORKING MACHINE Tiled Sept. 19, 192B 17 Sheets-Sheet 1s 26. I M I 261 I IIIIHH HHIHHHH l I I 250 m I i 254 INVEN TOR.

' Wk 6.55m W A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 11, I934.

R. s. BRcSwN 1,973,368

METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 Z86, i l l l l lll I IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 11, 1934. R 5 BROWN 1,973,368

METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 15 I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 11, 1934. R. 5. BROWN METAL WORKING MACHINE Filed Sept 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet 16 INVENTOR 65mm A TTORNEYS Sept. 11, 1934. R. 5. BROWN 1,973,368

' METAL WORKING MACHINE Eiled Sept. 19, 1928 17 Sheets-Sheet l7 "l m l l l l l Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL WORKING MACHINE Application September 19, 1928, Serial No. 306,908

95 Claims. (01. 29-38).

My invention relates generally to a metal working machine, and more particularly to an automatic station-type chucking machine.

Broad objects of the invention are to provide a machine of the character indicated for operating at a high rate of production and turning out work pieces of a high degree of accuracy;

and generally to improve certain constructional and functional features of metal working ma- 0 chines and parts, and particularly those of the automatic chucking machine type, to facilitate operation and control and to increase the reliability of such machines.

It is a more specific object to provide a machine of the character indicated, for chucking and unchucking workpieces and controlling feed functions by a single operative means.

Another object is to provide improved threading mechanism by means of which both right and left hand threads may be formed, and the running off speed of the tap, die or thread chasers will be greater than the running on speed. i

It is another object to provide improved thread control mechanism, which will be automatically actuated at fixed definite times, de-

pendent upon length of thread and regardless of the condition of activity or inactivity of other normally connected feed functions of the .machine.

A still further object is the provision of an improved thread leader mechanism for feeding multiple threading tools.

It is another object to provide thread leader mechanism which may be directly driven from a rotating part, such as a threading spindle.

Another object is the provision of means for manual feed of one tool and work piece relatively to each other in conjunction with other automatically actuated tools and work pieces.-

It is a further object to provide a turret clamping means to permit adjustment of the clamping pressures from the outside of the ma- A further object is to provide improved forms of chucks and to organize a machine to permit ready interchangeability and operation of different typesof chucks.

Other objects and the features of invention will hereinafter appear.

The invention, as indicated above, involves the improvement in construction or functional effect or both of a considerable number of different parts of a metalworking machine, and some of these parts are of utility in connection with machines of different types.

For purposes of illustration .only, the various features of invention will be described as embodied in an automatic chucking machine of the tool rotating type.

Briefly stated, in a preferred form of the invention, such as an automatic chucking machine, I employ a plurality of equidistantly spaced tool holders and a plurality of opposed work holders or chucks. The tool holders and work holders are fed relatively to each other to perform operations on work pieces held in the chucks, while the tools and work holders are rotated relatively to each other. If desired, one set of opposed work and tool holders may be fed relatively to each other by manual means, while tively to each other by automatic means.

Either the tool or work holders, but preferably the work holders, are indexed step by step, so as to successively bring each work holder into opposition to each tool holder, as is common in machines of the multiple spindle station type.

When required, threading operation may be performed at one station. I preferably provide means for rotating a threading spindle or spindles in the feeding direction at a relatively low speed, regardless of whether a right or left hand thread is being formed, and rotate the threading spindle or spindles in the running off direction at a relatively higher speed, regardless of the hand of thread being cut. The length of thread to be cut may be determined by stop means, which may stop rotation of the threading spindle when a thread of predetermined length has been formed. The running off movement of the threading spindle is preferably initiated by cam means, which act independently of the aforesaid stop means. The threading operation is also preferably initiated by cam means related to other feed functions of the machine, and I have provided improved means for permitting the stoppage of the threading spindle when the desired length of thread has the other tool and work holders are fed relabeen cut or the threading tool has run off to the desired extent, regardless of the activity or inactivity of the other normally connected feed functions.

I have provided improved thread leader devices which may be directly gear driven from a rotating part, such as the threading spindle itself. I also provide improved thread leader mechanism for feeding independently a pair of concentric spindles, preferably rotating together, and the thread leader mechanisms preferably being out of alignment with each other. My improved thread leader mechanism may be organized substantially as a unit, so as to be readily detachable should threading operations be unnecessary on the particular work pieces being formed.

I may also provide for manually feeding a tool and work holder relatively to each other, while the other tools and work holders are fed relatively to each other by automatic means. The

' manual feed device is preferably located for actuation in loading position of themachine. Such manual feed mechanism may be made readily detachable, so that it may be removed when not required on any particular type of work pieces being formed.

For indexing the work and tool holders relatively to each other, I may employ a star wheel and actuating arm, forming a Geneva motion, such as is often employed for indexing functions of metal working and other machines. When the indexible member is either adjustable or movable to different longitudinal positions, I interconnect the star wheel and actuating arm, so that these elements remain. in the proper operative relation, regardless of longitudinal positions, and the actuating arm may be driven by a long faced gear or piniomproviding constant mesh with a driving gear.

The indexible member is preferably clamped in indexed position and so held by resilient means. The clamping devices are so organized that the force exerted by the resilient means may be varied from the outside of the machine, so as to facilitate such variation or adjustment.

The turret and head stock portions of the machine may be aligned and guided relatively to each other by means of a rigid extension on one of the members and bearing in the other member. This extension member rigid with either the turret or head stock may be adjustably connected to the other member so that the collective tool thrusts will be at least partially taken by the extension member. This construction makes for a more rigid construc- -tion, and work pieces of greater accuracy are turned out.

When work pieces are chucked by fluid pressure actuated means, I may employ a plurality of cylinders, one for each chuck. The valve arrangement is such that, whether or not individual valves are provided for each cylinder, the chuck in loading position or station may be actuated while the chucks in work stations remain closed. The pressure fluid may be air or a liquid. When air is employed, any source of compressed air may be utilized. When a liquid, such as oil, is employed as the pressure fluid, I preferably drive a pump by some driven part of the machine, and of course provide a storagechamber for the suction side of the pump and for receiving the pressure fluid after it has been exhausted from the flu d pressure actuated devices.

The valves, when individual valves are employed and the cylinders do not rotate as in the present illustrative machine, may be mounted directly upon the heads of the fluid actuated devices, and are preferably cam-controlled and are preferably held in position to maintain pressure fluid on the fluid pressure actuated devices at all times that the work pieces are being acted upon by tools. In the loading position the valves are actuated to unchuck the finished work pieces and subsequently chuck a new work piece. Such actuation of each valve in series may be performed automatically, but for large work pieces I prefer .to provide manual means, which may actuate a part of the cam track normally holding the valves in definite position, so as to move each valve when it is in the loading station. In order to obivate the possibility of an open chuck colliding with a tool at any station, the valves may be automatically actuated to close each chuck before it comes opposite the first working station.

When the chuck actuating pressure fluid is a liquid, such as oil, I preferably provide a unitary reservoir in the base of the machine and divide same to provide a chip separating reservoir for coolant and a reservoir for the pressure liquid. A coolant pump and a pump for pressure fluid may be driven together.

Various types of chucks may be employed in my improved metal working machine. Screw chucks, for example, may be actuated by rack and pinion means, moved by the fluid pressure actuated devices, when such are employed. Collet chucks may likewise be employed and actuated by the same racks as would be employed for screw chucks. The rack for chuck actuation is preferably housed within the body of the chuck. I also provide improved means for varying the pressure exerted by chuck jaws in various positions, upon the application of a substantially uniform pressure to the chuck actuator.

In the drawings which show, for illustrative purposes only, preferred forms of the features of invention as embodied in an automatic chucking machine Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of an automatic chucking machine;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end elevation in partial section of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view of the upper portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, illustratingexternal gearing and spindle positions;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but taken just inside of the end wall of the head stock portion shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, partly diagrammatical, development view of the spindle drive arrange: ment of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view in end elevation of a threading clutch shift lever and some associated mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a view in front elevation of a clutch shift lever and associated parts indicated in Fig. 6 and illustrating the clutch shift lever in neutral position;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but illustrating the clutch shift lever in forward threadin position;

. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. '1, but illustrating certain movable parts in different positions;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view of a double thread leading mechanism for simultaneously leading two threading tools, taken on line 10-10 of Fig.

Fig. 11 is a plan view in elevation of dou le thread leader mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1

Fig. 12 is a rear end elevation of the thread leader mechanism shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 18 is a view in end elevation of a spindle and manual means for feeding the same;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, partly diagrammatic and development view of feed cam mechanism showing fast and slow drives;

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the fast and slow drive mechanism shown in Fig. 14, parts being broken away for better illustration;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section in partial elevation of a part of the turret end of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 18-18 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the ilne 18-18 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 19-19 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 is an end view in partial section taken substantially in the plane of the line 20-20 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 21 is a sectional view through a valve for controlling the flow of pressure fluid to and from a chucking cylinder;

Fig. 22 is an end inside elevation of a valve chamber member;

Fig. 23 is an inside end view of a valve;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary end view of a cylinder block;

Fig. 25 is a central vertical section of cam means for controlling valves;

Fig. 26 is a view similar to Fig. 25, but illustrating certain parts in different positions;

Fig. 27 is a horizontal sectional view of the 'cam means illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26;

Fig. 28 is a side elevation of coolant and pressure fluid pumps and illustrating an improved unitary reservoir system;

Fig. 29 is an end view in elevation of the primary drive for the pumps shown in Fig. 28; Fig. 30 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 30-30 of Fig. 28 and illustrating the pump drives;

Fig. 31 is an end view of a turret taken substantially in the plane of the line 31-31 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 32 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 32-32 of Fig. 31;

Fig. 33 is a view taken substantially in the plane of the line 33-33 of Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 is a view similar to Fig. 31, but illustrating a different type of chuck;

Fig. 35 is a view in side elevation of one of the chucks illustrated in Fig. 34 and showing chuck actuating means in dotted lines; and

Fig. 36 is a sectional view taken substantially in the plane of the line 36-36 of Fig. 34.

General description The automatic chucking machine herein disclosed for illustrating the principles of the in vention includes a base 1 having a head stock 2 and a turret 3. In the form shown, the head stock carries tools, while the turret carries chucks. The tools and chucks are rotatable relatively to each other, and the particular machine illustrated is of the tool-rotating type. The head stock 2 and turret 3 are indexible relatively to each other, for bringing each of a plurality of tools successively opposite each of a plurality of chucks. The machine may be driven by any suitable means, such as a motor 4, mounted in I the base of the frame. The chucks may be actuated by fluid pressure means, designated generally 5 and carried .by the turret. The feed functions of the machine may be controlled by a lever 6, while chucking and unchucking may be Spindle drive I The motor 4 may be belt connected to a pulley 8 for driving themain drive shaft 9 (Fig. 5). A gear 10 on the shaft 9 may mesh with a gear 11 carried upon what I term the No. 0 spindle shaft 12, which-has preferably a spindle at the loading station of the turret. The No. 0 spindle shaft, as will be later described, may carry a spindle equipped for hand feeding. The shaft 12 drives a gear 13 mounted ona stub shaft carried by the head stock. The gear 13 meshes with a gear 14 on the intermediate spindle shaft 15. Through change gears 16-17 on the outside of the head stock the intermediate spindle drive shaft 15 drives the spindle drive shaft 18. Through a second set of change gears 19-20 the shaft 15 drives another spindle drive shaft 21. The shaft 12, through the gears 22-23, drives a shaft 24, which in turn carries a gear 25. The gear 25 meshes with gear 26 on an intermediate spindle drive shaft 27, which,

through change gears 28-29 at the outside of the head stock, drives a spindle drive shaft 30.

The shaft 30 carries a gear 31, preferably spiral, which meshes with a corresponding gear 32 carried by and driving what I will term the No. 1 spindle (Figs. 3, 4 and 5). The shaft 18 carries a gear 33, preferably spiral, meshing with a corresponding gear 34 on and driving what I term the No. 2 spindle. The shaft 21 carries a gear 35, preferably spiral, meshing with a corresponding gear 36 on and driving what I term the No. 3 spindle. The shaft 24 carries a gear 37, which may be, and preferably is, on a sleeve, which also carries the gear 23. The gear .37 may mesh with a-gear 38 on shaft 39. The

shaft 39, through change gears 40-41; drives the intermediate spindle drive shaft 42. Through gear 43 the shaft 42, carrying the meshing gear 44 on what I term the No. '4" spindle, drives the latter.

All five spindles may thus be driven and, through change gears, the speed of all shafts may be varied, though, with the particular gearing arrangement shown, any change in the speed of No. 0 spindle, without substituting different change gears for all other spindles, will effect a change in the speed of all such other spindles.

In the machine herein disclosed the spindles may be arranged for cam feeding. The No. 1, 2 and 3 spindles are each provided with a cam follower member 45, carrying a cam roll member 46 for engagement by cams on cam drums 47 and 48 The cam follower membersJnay be guided by means of angular guide bars 49, which may be slidingly engaged by angular shaped portions on the cam follower members. The No. 4 spindle is likewise provided with a cam follower member 50, having a roller 51 or other cam engaging portion, and the follower member 50 may be guided by the guide bar 49, as shown. The No. 4 spindle, as will be later described, is arranged for threading when threading opera- 

